HMIE reports dramatic improvement in Dundee’s child protection services

Child protection services in Dundee have improved dramatically since the death of toddler Brandon Muir in 2008, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Education (HMIE) has found.

The 23-month-old was killed at the hands of his mother’s lover Robert Cunningham in March 2008. A significant case review of his death raised serious concerns about child protection services in the city after they found that social workers had known about Brandon and his mother Heather Boyd and had been just days from taking him into care. Since then, Dundee City Council has HMIE has found services in the city have greatly improved. Inspectors found closer co-operation between groups — such as police, social work and the NHS — has “created a successful model for the continued delivery of service improvements for vulnerable children and families.” Their report also said “significant developments” had taken place in the early recognition, immediate response and initial risk assessment of youngsters considered vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It also said there is now better guidance given to staff on child protection issues, as well as improved information sharing and joint decision-making at child protection case conferences. Much clearer According to inspectors, staff are now “much clearer” and “more confident” about raising concerns. The Chief Officers Group (COG) now delivers its services, which include child protection, domestic abuse and the management of sex offenders, more effectively. Inspectors also found the Children and Young Persons’ Protection Committee (CYPPC) had improved and now works “purposefully” and with a “clear sense of direction.” A purpose-built child protection centre is to open in Dundee in August, which will help deliver a co-ordinated response to any child protection concerns. Dundee City Council’s director of social work and CYPPC chairman Alan Baird said, “All the agencies involved in child protection in Dundee have been working hard to continue to bring about improvements in the city. “An action plan was drawn up to address the main points for action in the original inspection in June 2009 and we have been steadily making improvements. “However, it is certainly the case that we cannot be complacent in any way and have to continue to ensure that all agencies are providing services to give the best possible protection to children and young people in Dundee.” Caroline Selkirk, NHS Tayside commissioner for child health, said, “It is very heartening for all of the agencies involved to see this continuous improvement in our services for young people and children. Opportunities “There are now lots more opportunities for staff to work together and a good example of this is the new child protection unit at King’s Cross. “We have also just launched the family nurse partnership which is a specialist programme for first-time young parents and this will offer additional support for them and their children.” Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Bill Harkins added, “We welcome this report and its findings. It recognises the improvements in services that staff across the agencies have been responsible for achieving, through a determination to protect our children and young people and keep them safe from harm. “We cannot and will not be complacent, and as chief officers we are resolved to work together toward the vision for children’s services.” Dundee City Council social work and health convener, Councillor Jim Barrie said, “It is vital that the best possible systems are in place to try to protect children in our city, and it is obvious that there is no lack of commitment among the partners to achieve this.” However, Allan Petrie, who founded the pressure group RealJustice4Brandon, warned there is still a long way to go. He said, “Action needs to be taken straight away to protect the child. There is still a mentality to keep the children with their parents and that has to change.”